Selvage-smoothing means for flatwork ironers



2 sheets-sheet 1 INVEN'roR.-

ATTORNEY Nov; 3, 1942- c. E. HAMILTON, sa

SELVAGrE-SMOOTHING MEANS FOR WORK IRONERS Filed Jul'y 5*, `1941 .Y NOV- 3., l942 c. E. HAMILTON, sR 2,300,890

SISLVAGE-SMOOTHING MEANS FOR FLAT WORK IRONERS Filed July 5. 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvEN'roR: y CHARLES EDM//N HAM/70M S1.

ATTORNEY Patented` Nov. 3, 1942 u sELvAGE-sMoorHING MEANS Fon FLATWORK moNEas `Charles Edwin Hamilton, Sr., Hollywood, Calif.; Clair E. Hamilton, executor of said Charles E. Hamilton, Sr., deceased Application July 5, 1941, Serial No. 401,073

2 Claims.

The invention relates to the class of laundry machines known generally as "flat work ironers, employed for ironing solely flat work such as sheets, towels, table cloths, napkins, etc. When introducing goods ofthis nature to the ironer of the usual type, the advancing and trailing edges of the Work frequently are found to be turned back or wrinkled as a result of not having been previously properly shaken out. This, of course, appears as a defect when the work is delivered from the ironer.

In my prior U. s. Letters Patent #2,220,102.`

I have disclosed novel apparatus for expeditiously removing such defects; and in a copending application Serial #351,575, led August 6, 1940, I have disclosed further developments wherein both the advancing and trailing edges are automatically smoothed or brushed out without necessitating removal of the work between the operations on the respective edges, as was the case with the mechanism disclosed in my aforesaid Letters Patent.

The present invention relates to novel smoothing-out or brushing means for use in apparatus of the nature set forth in my said copending application, whereby the smoothing operation is more perfectly carried out and whereby, also, danger of the work becoming involved with the `brushing means is obviated in case the goods have a torn edge,

'I'he invention has for an object to prolong the l n `and for securing the desired tension on the carrying portion of the same for best action.

This is accomplished by constituting the brushing means as an extended member or succession of flexible blades or vanes, for example, by locating the latter upon a flexible travelling belt running over a pair of pulleys or the like, one of which is driven. These belts provided with outwardly extending vanes are positioned upon opposite sides of the work to aord brushing means for contacting the opposite surfaces of the goods, as in the embodiments heretofore noted. The said blades serve to smooth and to brush.` out both the advancing and the trailing edges of the goods, the juxtaposed portions of the belts running in the former instance in the direction of travel of the goods and in the latter instance oppositely thereto, the respective pula leys of pairs of juxtaposed brush members rotating in opposite directions.

The nature of the invention, however, will best be understood when described in connection withv the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig* 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a flatwork ironer equipped with the improved mechanism for smoothing out advancing and trailing edges of goods to be fed to the ironing rolls of said machine.

Fig, 2 showsin perspective one of the novel brushing elements,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary{transverse section on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 1 of the drawings, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4 4, Fig. 3 of the drawings, and

`electrical connections involved in the operation or the smoothing-out mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, l0 and H designate the side walls of the machine frame between which are carried the various parts, including a` horizontally disposed table l2 and a table i3 supported thereon in the same plane and separated from each other by a gap I4 for the pur.- pose hereinafter set forth. Table I3 terminates in the direction of travel of the goods, indicated by the arrows, inthe usual turned-down edge or comb portion I5 `located in juxtaposition to the rst of a series of rolls I6 mounted over a steam-chest Il between which the goods are passed for ironing. The goods, indicated at 20, are of the nature of sheets, towels, table cloths, napkins, and other items of a flat nature, and travel from the feed end 2l of the machine over both the tables I2 and I3, being conveyed lthereover to the rolls IE by a plurality of adjacently disposed, narrow, endless tapes 22, leaving between them longitudinal spaces 23. The tapes are driven by a roll 24. extending transversely across the forward portion of the machine, Suitable idler rollers 25 and26 for these tapes are located beneath the tables and respectively at the entrance portion of the machine just beyond roll 24 and immediately in advance of` the comb l5.

Over a selected number of these tapesand designed to rest upon the top of the goods `travelling over a table .are a plurality of endless strings 21 tensioned by a pair of drag rollers 28 and 29, said rollers being adapted to rest upon the goods and intermediate strings, the latter continuing under and over the periphery of the first of the ironing rolls I6. Said drag rollers are mounted above the respective table portions I2 and I3 upon opposite sides of the gap I4.

Respectively above and below said gap I4 are located the novel brushing means which are designed to cooperate for smoothing and brushing out the advancing and trailing edges of the work fed over the table I2 in the general manner set forth in my aforesaid copending application. Reference being had more particularly to Fig. 2 of the drawings, the brushing means comprises an endless flexible belt member 30, a joint or separable connection 3| being provided in the belt as by any well known or special belt-lacing or fastener and including, for example, a removable pin 32 which, when removed, enables the belt to be opened, as for replacement or repair of the brushing means. Fexible brushing elements as the vanes 33 extend outwardly from the outer surface of the belt and the tips of the same are adapted for engagement with the work passing through the machine. These vanes or blades may be mounted in any suitable manner upon the belt surface and, preferably, are integral therewith, as indicated, as in being vulcanized thereto or cemented thereon. They ex tend substantially at right angles to the belt surface and are individually flexible, as in being composed of rubber, and are of sufficient length so that when opposite sets of the brushing members are juxtaposed, they will interact and wipe the surface of the goods, more especially the advancing and trailing edges thereof.

A plurality of these brushing elements extend transversely over the machine, being mounted both above and below the gap I4 and carried by series of pulleys 35, 35 and 36, 36 on respective driving shafts 31 and 38 and cooperating spindles 39T and 49 which extend transversely of the machine. Normally, the brushing means are separated and remain displaced from the gap, being brought together for peripheral contact only as an advancing or trailing edge of the work approaches the said gap I4. The lower series of brushing means is then caused to rotate in the gap for engagement with the undersurface of the work and the upper series of the brushes for engagement with the upper surface of the work. This effects complete smoothing-out of any irregularities at the respective edges of the work so that it is presented without fold or edge irregularity to the ironing rolls, the advancing and trailing edges having been properly rprepared for the ironing action. Rolling-up of the work on entering the ironing rolls is thereby obviated, and the work will be finally delivered therefrom in perfect condition.

In view of the extended or elongated nature of the said brushing means in the direction of travel, the brushing action will be prolonged and continued for a sufcient period to secure a complate smoothing of the irregularities in the goods. This allows, also, of the speed of rotation of the said brushing means being reduced substantialh/ below that required with brushing means of the nature set forth in my aforesaid copending application. Moreover, in the case of torn edges in the goods passing through the brushing means,

kthere is no tendency for the goods to become involved with the said means, thus avoiding any delay or interruption of the brushing operation. 75

The control of the operation and action of the smoothing-out members or brushes may be effected mechanically or electrically, preferably by the latter system. The said brushing members, or rather their shafts 37 Vand 33 and spindles 39 and 4i), respectively, are mounted for vertical reciprocation, being carried, for example, by means of upper and lower sliding blocks and 48, at opposite sides of the machine and affording bearings also for said shafts and spindles. The latter, however, are mounted in auxiliary blocks 39 and 40', which are adjustable in corresponding ways of the blocks 45 and 46 in the direction toward and away from the respective shafts 3i and 3B. Rods 4'! and 43, respectively, are attached to the auxiliary blocks 39' and 40 to effect the desired adjustment and are passed through and to extend beyond the main sliding blocks 45 and 46 carrying the same, with nuts 49 and 59, respectively, fitting over the rods to secure the corresponding auxiliary blocks in position. The pairs 0f blocks 45 and 4E, in turn, are mounted in ways 5I of the sides I and II to reciprocate vertically therein. Pairs of coil springs 53 and 54, mounted, for example, between the blocks 45 and 45, respectively, serve to hold normally separated the said blocks 45 and 46 and with them the corresponding shafts, spindles and the brush elements carried thereby.

To transmit the required rotation to the respective shafts, as from a driving motor 69 supported on the side i0 of the machine frame, shafts 3l and 33 are extended beyond, for example, the side i3 and carry at their respective outer ends bevel gear wheels SI and 62. These in turn mesh with bevel gear wheels 63 and 64, respectively, keyed to slide on the motor shaft 65. Said shaft 65 is mounted in bearings 66 and 67 extending laterally from the corresponding blocks 4.5 and 45, so that the said bearings may slide axially of the shaft to accommodate the separation and approach of blocks 45 and 46 while at the same time permitting transmission of the rotation of the said shaft 65 to the shafts 3l and 38. Motor 50 is of the reversible type with limit switch means indicated by the switch box 69, so that the rotation of the motor will be interrupted at a predetermined time interval, all of which is Well understood and its specic embodiment forms no particular feature of the invention.

A convenient means of effecting the approach and separation of the said shafts 31 and 38 and spindles 39 and 49 through sliding of their blocks 4-5 and 4G in the ways 5I, is indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. As shown, each set of blocks is provided with lugs for pivotal attachment to bell-cranks mounted on the respective sides I9 and II. Thus, lugs I9 provide through a pin 'II and slot 'lf2 for pivotal connection of the blocks 45 With bell-cranks I3 pivoted to the sides I0 and Il; and lugs 'i5 through pins 'I6 and slots 'I1 pivotally connect the blocks 43 With bellcranks 18. An adjustable stop 'i9 serv-es to limit the degree of approach of the blocks, while the degree of separation of the blocks under the action of springs 53 and 54 is limited by the lugs 1i) and 115 striking the ends of the ways 5I.

As stated, the springs maintain normally apart said blocks 45 and 4S and thus maintain the smoothing and brushing-out members out of contact. To cause these blocks to approach each other for engagement with an edge of the work moving over the table I2, provision is made for operating the bell-cranks 73 and 18 accordingly,

which may conveniently be accomplished as a toggle movement wherein the two free ends of said 'bell-cranks are pivotally connected through pins 85` and the slots 86 with the plunger 81 of. a solenoid 88.

When the solenoid ifs energized and the plunger drawn inwardly, as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, blocks 45 and 46 will be -caused to approach each other against the action of the springs, the extent of approach being limited by stop 19. the solenoids, the springs will be permitted to act to 'again separate the said blocks. The arrangement is preferably lsuch that the motor and solenoids are operated simultaneously whereby when the motor circuit is interrupted the solenoid circuit will likewise be interrupted and similarly whenthe motor circuit is completed, the circuit to the solenoids will be completed.

The circuit control for these ope-rations may be manual, but it is preferred to make them automatic under the `action of the fed goods themselves, which may be accomplished by well known electronic means. Thus, reference being had to Figs. 1 and 6, the table l2 may be provided with longitudinal slots 90 upon opposite sides of which are mounted one or more ,sources of illumination, as the electric lamp Sl l, and one or more cooperating photo-electric cells 92. To aord adjustments of these elements with reference to the shafts 31 and 3-8 in order to time the action of the smoothing means upon the goods passin-g over the table l2, said elements may be mounted respectively on k arated and no further action will be had until Upon interruption of the circuit to cross-bars 93 and 9d whichare supporte-d at their i ends in slotted brackets 95 and 96 secured to the side frames IU and H. The said elements may thus .be moved longitudinally of the table in said slots and positioned at the .desired location for setting in operation the smoothing and brushing means. The circuit from the photo-electric cell 92 leads to a control mechanism indicated at |00 to which power is supplied from the main IUI through intermediate switch |82. This mechanism is of any well-known or special design whereby the motor .60 and solenoid 88 will be controlled in accordance with the interruption of the light from a lamp 9| to the companion photoelectric cell 92 by the passage of the work therebetween over said table l2. When the Work clears this portion of the machine, photo-electric cell 92 will again be energized and the reverse operation effected. Thus, when the work first intercepts the lighlt from lamp 9|, motor 60 will be energized for rotating the brushes in the direction of travel and at the same time solenoids d8 the trailing edge of the work clears the slots 9E! and causes a photo-electric cell 92 to be again energized.

During the action of brushing out the advancing edge, the remaining portion of the work will be held iirmly down Ito the table l2 by the drag roller 23 and prevented from advancing at the speed of the brushingmeans whose velocity is much in excess 'of that of the normal travel of the goods. In addition, strings 21 will further prevent any upward curving or distortion of the goods, esp-ecially as the advancing edge leaves the brushing meansr Clearing of the slots 9b by work advancing over `table I2 sets again into operation the motor 60 which then rotates in the reverse direction and at the same time operates the solenoids to bring the smoothing and brushing means together for action on the trailing edge, said motor ceasing to rotate after a predetermined interval and the solenoid being de-energized so that said means will return to the separated position and be in condition for a repetition of the cycle when a further piece of work is put rthrough the machine.

I claim: i

1. In an ironing machine for Iiat work including feeding means and ironing rolls for the goods to be ironed: means intermediate the same adapted for temporary engagement therewith for smoothing and brushing the advancing and. trailing edges of goods passing through the machine, said means including two sets of pairs of separable, juxtaposed and oppositely rotatable supporting members, one set being located in advance of the other in the path of travel of the goods, together with belts connecting the respective supporting members of one set with the corresponding members of the other set to communicate rotation from one to the other,`the said belts bearing outwardly extending brushing elements, and means for imparting rotation to one set ofthe supporting members continuously during the period of engagement with the advancing edge of the goods and continuously in the opposite direction during engagement with the trailing edge thereof.

2. In an ironing machine for flat work including feeding means and ironing rolls for the goods to be ironed: means intermediate the same adaptedr for temporary engagement therewith for smoothing and brushing the advancing and will be energized to cause the smoothing means to bring the latter` into operative position before an edge is presented thereto. After, for example,

the advancing edge has been vproperly smoothed out, the motor circuit is interrupted, as by the limit switch of the motor, as well` as the solenoid circuits so that the brushing means will be septrailing edgesl of goods passing through the machine, said means including two sets of pairs of separable, juxtaposed and oppositely rotatable supporting members, one set being located in advance of the other in the path of travel of the goods, together with belts connecting therespective supporting members of one set with the corresponding members of the other set to communicate rotation from one to the other, the said belts bearing outwardly extending brushing elements, means for imparting rotation to one vset of the supporting members continuously dur- 

